Northern Ireland Screen's Digital Film Archive is a free public access resource for teachers, students, historians and anyone who has an interest in moving images. Spanning from 1897 to the present day, the films in the Digital Film Archive cover all aspects of life in Northern Ireland and includes everything from dramas to documentaries, newsreels and features, animation to amateur footage.
This film is part of Free
The Haunted School
School boy antics take a supernatural turn in this silent slapstick ghost story made by pupils in a Belfast boarding school.
From the collection of:
Overview
Do you believe in ghosts? After the Junior House Rugby match things seem to take a supernatural turn in this slapstick student film. The red brick Campbell College emerges beneath a mist of scratches creating the ideal setting for this slow paced ghostly tale. Vanishing boys and ghostly apparitions encourage you to wonder what else lurks in these Victorian corridors.
At the time of this film Campbell College was primarily a boarding school however the number of boarders has steadily declined over the years. This prestigious school has had an interesting history since it was founded in 1894 from a bequest by Henry James Campbell. The school was caught up in an IRA gun battle in 1935 and during World War II the pupils temporarily relocated to Portrush when the school was requisitioned by the War Office to become a hospital. Many of the “Old Campbellions” who passed through its gates went on to become journalists, film makers, judges and peace activists. C.S. Lewis grew up nearby and briefly studied here before he was sent to a school that specialised in pupils with lung problems.
Related
Watch for free
Paper Boat Paper Boat
Amateur film 1949 22 mins Silent
Prize-winning amateur film about the fleeting affair between a housewife and a young man on a summer day.
Watch for free
Coming Shortly Coming Shortly
Amateur film 1954 4 mins Silent Location: High Wycombe
Silly silent film fun and thrills abound in this award-winning 1954 amateur short spoofing the world of Hollywood trailers.
Watch for free
Amelia and the Angel Amelia and the Angel
Amateur film 1958 26 mins Location: South Kensington
A young angel scours London for her wings in this tender short by the young Ken Russell.
Watch for free
Ladies Hoo Doo Ladies Hoo Doo
Amateur film 1965 19 mins Location: Harrow
Knitting comes in handy when making a film – a comical take on amateur filmmaking by the ladies of a local Pinner film club
Watch for free
Jocelyn in Wonderland Jocelyn in Wonderland
Amateur film 1961 13 mins Silent
Tired little Jocelyn, in her National Health specs, falls asleep in the garden and wakes up in Wonderland in this amateur re-telling of Lewis Carroll's classic.
Watch for free
Stephen the Magician Stephen the Magician
Home movie 1962 3 mins Silent Location: Castleford
A young magician impresses his sister by making a dog appear from under a bucket, and by demonstrating the magic of film itself.
Watch for free
Family Festival Family Festival
Sponsored film 1951 27 mins Silent Location: Belfast
From Modernist designs inspired by the atomic age to paddling pool picnics, find delight in this silent selection from the Festival of Britain
Watch for free
Summer Holiday Summer Holiday
Home movie 1961 8 mins Silent Location: Carrickfergus
Join the Carrey family as they entertain each other during a summer adventure around the north of Ireland.
Watch for free
Dots and Whips Dots and Whips
Amateur film 1980 11 mins Location: Stormont
Learn the language of lace from the devoted women keeping the highly skilled art of Carrickmacross Lace alive
Watch for free
Seventh Angel Seventh Angel
Amateur film 1962 10 mins Location: Belfast
It was a day like any other for Percy Faith until he hears a voice he’ll never forget.
Watch for free
Ulster Heritage Ulster Heritage
Documentary 1961 16 mins Silent Location: Ballymoney
A jaunty guide to life and industry in Ulster which focuses on a Northern Irish farming family.
Watch for free
Ulster To-day Ulster To-day
Sponsored film 1967 18 mins Location: Irish Sea
From ancient crafts to state of the art computer production discover how "Ulster is not just yesterday, it is also tomorrow". Forget hindsight and enjoy this industrial dream.
Watch for free
Khichdi Khichdi
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 16 mins
The interwoven stories of four best friends who reunite in the UK, thirty-five years after training together as nurses during their teens in Ferozepur, Punjab.
Watch for free
Every Moment Counts Every Moment Counts
Animation & Artists Moving Image 2023 9 mins
A short animation that offers a window into the world of children’s palliative care.
Watch for free
Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology Dr XYZ: A Medical Drag Transthology
2023 15 mins
A satirical take on the healthcare service announcements of the 1960s and 70s.
Watch for free
Police Story: Panel Discussion Police Story: Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 24 mins
Panel discussion on Jackie Chan's 1985 action classic Police Story, with Chase Armitage, Sam Mak and Jadey Duffield.
Watch for free
China O'Brien: The Reunion China O'Brien: The Reunion
Documentary 2024 60 mins
Cynthia Rothrock, Richard Norton and Keith Cooke reunite three decades on from the groundbreaking martial arts classic.
Watch for free
Women in Action Panel Discussion Women in Action Panel Discussion
Inside Film 2024 28 mins
Action Xtreme - the UK's leading action film studio - hosts this panel discussion with four leading women in action cinema - Soo Cole, Jo Rolison, Jadey Duffield and Ioanna Karavela.